Barry Jan Barush

Barry Jan Barush passed away unexpectedly on January 11, 2013 after a brief illness. He was born in Flushing, New York on September 16, 1958 to Rose and Jack Barush, the youngest of four boys. He grew up in New York and at the age of 19 moved to the San Francisco area to join the rest of his family who had all recently moved to California. It was in the Bay area that he started his woodworking business and began making fine furniture and cabinets. In 1988 he married Alice Carol and they spent 10 years together and traveled all over the United States, finally landing in Sandpoint, Idaho in 1996. In Sandpoint Barry found his true home and community. He had a passion for the arts and volunteered his time with the Panida Theater as well as community theater groups doing set design and building, back stage work, and spotlight. He was a member of the POAC Visual Arts Committee and one of the founding members of The Arts Alliance, serving on the Board of Directors for 3½ years. Most recently he became involved with the community radio station, KRFY, helping to set up the studio, making furniture for it and serving on the Board of Directors. He also volunteered at the Festival at Sandpoint for many years helping to set up and take down the show and operating the spotlight. Barry continued to build fine furniture and cabinets in Sandpoint. He had an exceptional talent for designing and building custom furniture pieces uniquely suited for each client. He was honored to have been asked to build the altar at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. His legacy will live on in the many beautiful works of art that he created. In Oct. 2000 Barry met Eva Bell and they were married Aug. 9, 2003. They packed as much fun as they could into the 12 years they were together. Barry was a great cook and they frequently entertained many friends in their home. They loved to travel and took every opportunity they could to go on a trip. They went to Canada, Mexico, Germany and Austria, New York, Florida, and many times to visit family in California. Barry loved hiking, camping, fishing, and boating and they had many great times with friends enjoying these activities. Barry did not tread lightly on this earth. He lived his life with passion in all that he did and left an impact on everyone that knew him. He was always there to lend a hand if anyone needed help. He is survived by his wife, Eva Barush; stepson, Jeff Bell of Portland, Oregon; his parents, Rose and Jack Barush and brother, Jay Barush all of Lake Isabella, Calif.; his brother, Roy Barush and his wife, Sue and two nephews, Jesse and Ben of Napa, Calif.; his brother, Jerry Barush and his wife, Lorraine Gunther of Berkeley, Calif.; his mother-in-law, Katharina Schwager of Sandpoint, ID; his brother-in-law, Jakob Schwager and his wife, Sinikka and their family of Roseville, Calif.; his “adopted” family, Meredith Field, Doug Clark and “grandson”, Odin Clark of Sandpoint, ID; an uncle and numerous cousins, and many dear friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and community. Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book, for Barry, at www.coffeltfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.